Madison — Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp on Tuesday defended Gov. Scott Walker's plan to turn the Natural Resources Board into an advisory panel, instead of one that makes policy, even as she acknowledged she had not been consulted on the proposal in advance.

"I feel that it's extra layers," Stepp said of the board in a briefing to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. "I think it's duplicative."

The idea has sparked opposition from Democrats as well as some of Walker's fellow Republicans. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) said he had "some concerns" about the plan.(58)

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp., then so is chief executive Michael Koss, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

In a suit filed last week, the bank argues that if a jury finds Park Bank liable for the loss, then Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, the firm's former auditor, should have to pay some of the award.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," Park Bank wrote in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss in this case those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(3)

The shootings that may finally lead to real change in gun control

My thoughts on the tragedy in Newtown CT that may finally lead to significant gun control in the United States:

The deaths of so many precious children will no doubt be the tipping point for people who never really connected with the toll taken by mass murderers with guns in previous shooting events. Everybody can agree that when children as young as 5 and 6 years old are taken in this kind of gruesome fashion, all the arguments about a supposed "right to bear arms" seem pretty lame in comparison.

The NRA does a good job of promoting the safe handling and usage of handguns in society, which is why they don't like to be criticized when this kind of horrific event happens. BUT the Newtown killer's mother fed his love of guns as a young boy, according to reports.
It doesn't matter how responsible some gun-owners are when there are mentally unstable young people or other family members in their households with access to guns.

President Obama's speech to Newtown residents signalled the start of a campaign for significant change in the area of gun control by the US government. I think some people will take heed even while others complain that Obama didn't say enough about the issue when his hometown of Chicago was the site of incredible gun violence this past summer that took the lives of many young black males.
Yes, the killings in Chicago were largely by young black males killing each other, but the issue remains the same. Too many guns in society.

I kept hearing some media folks insist that "it's too soon" to talk about gun control because it can be viewed as a contentious political issue pitting citizens against each other. Sorry, that just doesn't cut it anymore.
When is the time to talk about gun control? In a few weeks when the horror of Newtown has faded?
Enough with the excuses; watch the faces of the fallen angels and realize we have reached the point where it's time for action.